Why Ajax Systems?
As K9 Protection have grown our client base over the years, we've typically become the first port-of-call for many of our existing clients when it comes to signposting them to other security related requirements; even things like "Where can I buy radios" or "What brand of hi-vis bibs are best to use" come up from time to time. One of the questions that has come up many times over the years is "what alarm system would you recommend", so.. here we are.
Background in Hardware
Intruder alarms and technology aren't new to those of us at K9 Protection. As I write this, I think back to my background as an IT engineer prior to entering the security trade. I think back to crawling through attic-space and itching for the next 3 days as I laid cabling for client projects, and all the reasons I disliked the idea of alarm installation works; but nevertheless, the pedigree for networking and a solid understanding of information technology are ingrained in to me. Similarly, our Ops Manager comes from a background of fire alarm systems commissioning prior to getting in to the security manpower industry, so this knowledge and skill is never far away from the forefront of our minds. At this point in the business, we had been building and maintaining CCTV tower systems in-house, and supporting CCTV solutions and access control systems for a number of clients, so actually working with security hardware wasn't new to us, but installing it from scratch (within K9 Protection) was.
Our relationship with Ajax Systems began about three years ago and initially started with us looking for a decent image-verified alarm system that we could use as a self contained void-property solution. With all of the systems in the world at the time, we tested a few and were underwhelmed.. this is where somebody said to me "have you seen this system from these Ukrainian boys? It's worth a look" and this was my first introduction to Ajax Systems.
First thoughts on Ajax Systems
My first thought on looking at an Ajax alarm panel (or Hub as they call it) was how different it was to a conventional intruder alarm. The aesthetics weren't important to me at the time (the hub on our void property solutions is hidden inside a very square plastic box) and I will admit that my first thought was "looks a bit fancy", but that was very quickly subsided behind my IT engineer brain getting excited that they don't call it a panel, they call it a "hub".. That's IT speak.. the thing in the middle that joins everything together. This silly change in terminology instantly erased my concerns about this being an alarm system, and allowed me to think of it as an IT network; something which it essentially is.
Ajax was never supposed to be a core channel within our business and was always seen as a means to an end - we need a reliable alarm system that's remotely monitored, has no awkward wires, and has image verification; this needs to be easy for us to install on client premises and for our response team to respond to, and after some serious testing, it was easy to see that the Ajax Systems hardware was extremely competent and up to the job - from this point onwards, the systems were added to our void property rental stock and the rest was history.
The journey to becoming
As an Ajax Systems installer, we had a very specific need for the hardware whilst at the same time being invited to seminars that let us see the direction that Ajax were taking their product range; we got to see the new hardware being developed, along with how consistently it was being designed to fit around the core purpose of protecting the client's property. Throughout the time we were watching this range develop, we were being asked more and more often to recommend alarm systems to clients and after a couple of internal meetings, we decided that we'll actually start actively pushing Ajax Systems - no longer would they just be a partner we use for rental systems, but we'll start offering professionally installed alarm systems to customers. At this point, I need to highlight the fact that new services and products are always slow-burners within K9 Protection. When we started offering a keyholding service, it took us 4 months behind the scenes to write the procedures, the software, and the mantra behind the service. When we started offering CCTV towers, the same thing happened where everything was planned out and designed; carrying out a SWOT analysis of what we don't like about the way other people offer the service. The steps behind going out there as an intruder alarm installer were no different. We started by speaking with Ajax Systems and getting our core team trained up on the installation and maintenance of the Ajax range of hardware; something that felt important to do from the outset. Once we'd trained on the hardware formally, we started offering staff and friends some fantastic bargains to become our guinea pigs, and as part of the process installed and tested several installations in several different environments.. before we took the product to market, we wanted to ensure that we're more than just a certificate on the wall, and wanted to make sure the product we'd be attaching our name to did what it promised.. this approach gave us two things. 1- it gave us several different environments to install and monitor the product in, and 2 - it gave our friends and team a high end security product at some phenomenal levels of discount.
Where we are now?
As part of our Ajax Systems journey, something else happened that we didn't expect - at K9 Protection, we had always been a business to business (B2B) company, and as we've advertised alarm systems more and more, we've noticed a small but significant shift in client base and suddenly needed to start thinking of things as a business to consumer (B2C) company. Things we didn't need before suddenly mattered; things you wouldn't automatically think of like differences in the way we handle data; differences in the way we advertise our services, and differences in the supporting products that we need (for example, we've always had a business leasing partner in place for CCTV and Access Control installations, but until this point had never needed a consumer finance option). We also needed to spruce up our marketing - until now, it'd always been the bullet points.. this is X, it does Y - something that is largely welcomed within the business community where time is the most valuable asset. With consumer purchasers and being up against some pretty big international companies who we believe have a fundamentally weaker product but a much bigger marketing budget, we needed up our game. I mean, when Verisure are paying over £10 sometimes just to get someone to click their Google ad, yet won't give a straight answer when you ask them for a price, and this is accepted - it's clear that bringing our honesty to clients was going to make for a refreshing change.
One of the first things we noticed as the web content around alarms took hold was that many enquiries were coming from clients who have purchased new-build homes; so something we did is set up an internal database of house designs, floor plans, and system requirements for all of the major house builders in the South Wales area. This allows us to save our client's time by knowing, for example, if someone needs an alarm for a Bellway Homes "The Beech", they will benefit from an "Ajax house kit 3" with an additional DoorProtect, a DoorProtect Plus, and a pair of CombiProtect (motion & glass break) detectors. If someone tells us they've purchased a Taylor Wimpey "Andrew", we instantly know that the home will benefit from an "Ajax House Kit 3" with an additional DoorProtect Plus (shock & tilt sensor) for the rear French doors. This is a service that we believe is unique to us at K9 Protection.
The Future With Ajax Systems
Something that I said when we initially started playing with Ajax Systems - "It's very rare that something comes along that we all agree is good. It's rare that hardware still feels exciting". With Ajax, we've spent the last three years watching their product range evolve and whenever they release a new product, we know it's going to have been well thought out and will perfectly fill its space in the market. The scalability of the Ajax Systems platform means that no matter the requirement, it's the perfect system for all scenarios; we can literally specify a perfect system for anything from a mansion to a motor home, with as many or as few advanced features as the client desires. At it's core, Ajax is a very powerful smart home intruder alarm system, but as the customer's need grows and develops, so does the ability of the platform to satisfy the needs. Image verification? No problem. Leak detection with emergency shut-off valves? The feature is there. Fire, Heat & Carbon Monoxide detection? The detectors are part of the core range. If that's not enough, then some of the most recent devices released from Ajax are sure to whet any client's appetite - not least the European-manufactured CCTV solutions that follow the same design mantra and aesthetic as the rest of the range. What started as a product to fulfil a very specific internal need has now become a product we're proud to be able to provide to our customers to fulfil their every need.
We don't need to work hard to sell Ajax, but if you'd like to arrange a demonstration, please do get in touch.
